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MWPA Policies - Revised February 15, 2010 | Published August 24, 2007 (PDF)

Section 1. Obligation of Members

  1. Each member shall pledge to uphold the By-Laws and Policies as prescribed by the Michigan Water Polo Association (MWPA) and in no way shall commit any act that will cause harm or embarrassment to the MWPA.

Section 2. Rules of Order

  1. Roberts’s Rules of Order shall govern the procedures of the MWPA.

Section 3: Conduct of High School Competition

  1. Seasons of Play
    1. Boys:  Fall Season with starting date as defined by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).  The State Championship Tournament will be held two weekends before Thanksgiving.  The Regional Qualifying Tournament will be two weeks before the State Championship Tournament and the District Qualifying Tournament one week before the Regional Qualifying Tournament.
    2. Girls:  Spring Season starting date as defined by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), with the District Qualifying Tournaments held two weeks before Memorial Day Weekend, the Regional Qualifying Tournaments held the weekend before Memorial Day weekend, and the State Championship Tournament held the weekend following Memorial Day weekend.
      1. Dual games within a district during the girl’s season may not be held until after the third week of practice unless both participating coaches are in agreement.
  2. Teams
    1. Any high school within the State of Michigan may field a team in the appropriate season.
    2. A cooperative team may be formed in accordance with MHSAA guidelines.  The application for girls’ cooperative teams must be filed with an MWPA Co-President for review by the Board of Director’s prior to the February business meeting.  The application for boys’ cooperative teams must be filed with an MWPA Co-President for review by the Board of Director’s prior to the June business meeting.  The executive board will review all applications and respond to the applicant schools within two weeks of the respective business meeting.
      1. If an existing cooperative team does not submit the proper proposal prior to the aforementioned guidelines than they will be ineligible to participate in any post season tournaments.
  3. Eligibility
    1. Each team shall be comprised of students who are eligible to play in accordance with MHSAA guidelines.
    2. No player shall play in both a Junior Varsity and Varsity game on the same competition day.   If this occurs the school with the ineligible player will forfeit the second game regardless of the level of competition.  (Schools with fewer players may elect to play the varsity game first with a minimum of one week prior notice to the opposing school.)
      1. If a varsity goalie is rendered unable to play due to an injury, sickness, or an eligibility rule (i.e. three exclusions, game misconduct, brutality, etc.) during the course of the game, that a JV goalie would be allowed to play as the varsity goalie in exemption of rule C.2., as long as two separate goalies are listed, one on the varsity roster and one on the JV roster for that game.  The varsity goalie that left the game due to an injury may only re-enter the game as a goalie.
    3. If a team uses an ineligible athlete in any competition, those games shall be considered forfeits, with the opposing teaming recording a 5-0 forfeit win.
  4. Team Rosters
    1. Rosters that document eligibility (signed by school official) are due to the District Qualifying Tournament Director before the start of that tournament.  The Tournament Director will forward the eligibility rosters to the Regional Tournament Director and State Championship Tournament Director prior to the start of that tournament.
  5. Playing Rules
    1. Play shall be governed by the current NFHS Rules with the following exceptions:
      1. Mercy Rule – If the goal differential after the second or third quarters is 10 or more goals, the coach of the losing team has the right to ask for five minute quarters or a running clock if the facility has the ability to run the game clock without interfering with the shot clock.
      2. Time-outs – In postseason tournaments all teams will have three full two minute timeouts with an additional thirty second timeout.
    2. Tie Break System Clarification:

      As adopted by the USWP/FINA TIE BREAK SYSTEM
      BL6.4.1.2.1 1 If two teams shall have equal points, further classification shall be established as follows:
      BL6.4.1.2.1.1The team winning the game between the two teams shall be placed higher.
      BL6.4.1.2.1.2If the game between the two teams resulted in a tie, a further classification shall be established based on their results against the other teams in order of their ranking; first based upon goal difference, and next, based on goals scored. The comparison shall be made first, compared to the highest team, and then, if still tied to the next highest team, and so on.
      BL6.4.1.2.1.3If they are still tied, the tie shall be resolved by each team shooting five penalty shots at its opponent's goal in alternate succession. The first team shall take its first penalty shot and then the other team shall take its first penalty shot, etc. If a tie shall exist after that procedure, each team shall then take alternate shots until one team scores and the other misses. Different members of the team must shoot each shot. The procedure shall be conducted following the final game of that round or at the first practical opportunity.
      BL6.4.1.2.2If three of more teams shall have equal points, further classification shall be established as follows:
      BL6.4.1.2.2.1Any time during the application of this BL6.4.1.2.2, when the number of the then tied teams is reduced to two BL6.4.1.2.1.1, BL 6.4.1.2.1.2 and BL6.4.1.2.1.3 shall be followed.
      BL 6.4.1.2.2.2The results among the tied teams shall determine the placing. The comparison shall be made upon first, the points of the games among them, next the goal difference, and next, based upon goals scored.
      BL 6.4.1.2.2.3If more than two teams are then still tied, a further classification shall be established based on their results against the other teams in order of their ranking; difference, and next, based upon goals scored. The comparison shall be made first, compared to the highest team, and then, if still tied, to the next highest team, and so on.

Section 4: Conduct of High School Championship

  1. There shall be District Qualifying Tournaments, Regional Qualifying Tournaments and a State Championship Tournament each season.
    1. There shall be four Districts in the State, with two Districts per Region for both the East and West.  The Board shall determine where teams will be placed by geography and size of the District.  Districts will be realigned every two years if necessary.  This will occur in even numbered years.
      1. If one District/Region has significantly more teams than another, the Co-Presidents shall have the authority to move teams to the other District/Region for balance of number only.  The closest team(s) by geography shall be moved.
      2. Teams must be aligned with a district 10 days prior to the season to be eligible for the district tournament.
  2. Scheduling
    1. All district seed games need to be completed by Tuesday before the district tournament and if not coaches need to seek Board approval.
  3. Site Selection
    1. Sites wishing to host a High School District, Regional or State Championship Tournament must submit a written proposal to the Board of Directors or be present at the board meeting for tournament site selection.  District, Regional, and State Tournament sites will be determined at the summer business meeting for the next Girls season, and at the fall business meeting for the next Boys season.
    2. Board of Directors shall select the best facility available, with a premium placed on all-deep courses and the need to alternate the State Championship Tournaments from West to East every other year.
  4. Conduct of District Qualifying Tournaments
    1. Seeding for the District tournament will be based on regular season game results between the teams in each district.
      1. Every team in a district must play each other at least once.  If teams are playing each other more than once they must declare which game will be counted as the district game prior to the start of the season.  Teams to report results of these games to the MWPA webmaster and to the district tournament director.
      2. District seeding games shall be played in an alternating home and away manner.  If one teams hosts one year, it is the other team’s turn to host the following year.  If the team that is supposed to host cannot host for some reason or chooses not to host, a mutually agreed upon site can be chosen by the coaches involved.
    2. District Qualifying Tournaments shall be run in accordance with the tournament formats attached in APPENDIX A and posted on the MWPA website.
    3. Host site fee for the district tournament will be $500 payable to the MWPA.  If the host site is the site of two district tournaments the fee will be $1,000 payable to the MWPA.
    4. Team entry fees for the district tournament will be $75 payable to the host site.
  5. Conduct of Regional Qualifying Tournaments
    1. Regional Qualifying Tournaments shall be run in accordance with the tournament formats attached in APPENDIX A and posted on the MWPA website.
    2. Host site fee for the regional tournaments will be $1,500 payable to the MWPA.
    3. Team entry fees for the regional tournament will be $125 payable to the host site.
  6. Conduct of the State Championship Tournament
    1. The State Championship Tournament shall be run in accordance with the tournament formats attached in APPENDIX A and posted on the MWPA website.
    2. Host site fee for the state tournament will be $2,600 payable to the MWPA.
    3. Team entry fees for the state tournament will be $200 payable to the host site.
  7. Awards

    In each season, there shall be the following awards (provided by the MWPA)
    1. District Qualifying Championship Tournament Awards
      1. First Place Team Trophies
    2. Regional Qualifying Championship Tournament Awards
      1. First and Second Place Team Trophies
      2. All-Tournament Teams (First, Second, and Honorable Mention). – Certificates
        1. All teams participating in the tournament will receive a vote, along with a collective ballot submitted by the officiating crew.
        2. Teams will vote for 14 players, and may not vote for any of their own players.  The first team vote will be for one goalie and six field players, with one of these athletes selected as Most Valuable Player.  The second team vote will be for one goalie and six field players.
        3. MVP votes count for 3 points, First Team Votes count for 2 points, and Second Team votes for 1 point
        4. The athlete with the highest tally will receive Most Valuable Player.  The goalie with the highest tally and the first six field players will be named to the First Team All-Region.  The goalie with the second highest tally and the next six field players will be named to the Second Team All-Region.  The next seven players (any position) will be name Honorable Mention All-Region.  In the case of ties for the final position on the First or Second team, all tied athletes will be placed on the higher team.  The Honorable Mention team will be adjusted so that there are a total of 21 athletes that are named to the All-Region teams.
      3. Most Valuable Player - Plaque
      4. Regional Coach of the Year - Plaque
    3. State Championships Tournament Awards
      1. First, Second, and Third Place Team Trophies
      2. First, Second, and Third Place Individual Medals
      3. All-State Tournament Teams (First, Second, and Honorable Mention) – Certificates
        1. All teams participating in the tournament will receive a vote, along with a collective ballot submitted by the officiating crew.
        2. Teams will vote for 14 players, and may not vote for any of their own players.  The first team vote will be for one goalie and six field players, with one of these athletes selected as Most Valuable Player.  The second team vote will be for one goalie and six field players.
        3. MVP votes count for 3 points, First Team Votes count for 2 points, and Second Team votes for 1 point
        4. The athlete with the highest tally will receive Most Valuable Player.  The goalie with the highest tally and the first six field players will be named to the First Team All-State Tournament.  The goalie with the second highest tally and the next six field players will be named to the Second Team All-State Tournament.  The next seven players (any position) will be name Honorable Mention All-State Tournament.  In the case of ties for the final position on the First or Second team, all tied athletes will be placed on the higher team.  The Honorable Mention team will be adjusted so that there are a total of 21 athletes that are named to the All-State Tournament teams.
      4. Tournament MVP - Plaque
    4. All-State Awards
      1. All-State Teams (3). This award is based upon the entire competition season (Plaque)
        1. Nominations for All-State must be submitted to the MWPA Secretary by the Monday prior to the State Championship Tournament.
        2. Teams qualifying for State Championship Tournament may nominate a maximum of 7 athletes.  Other teams may nominate a maximum of 2 athletes.
        3. Ballots will be distributed and submitted at the MWPA Business Meeting for the current season.
        4. Teams will vote for 14 players, and may not vote for any of their own players.  The first team vote will be for one goalie and six field players, with one of these athletes selected as Most Valuable Player.  The second team vote will be for one goalie and six field players.
        5. MVP votes count for 3 points, First Team Votes count for 2 points, and Second Team votes for 1 point.
        6. The athlete with the highest tally will receive Most Valuable Player.  The goalie with the highest tally and the first six field players will be named to the First Team All-State.  The goalie with the second highest tally and the next six field players will be named to the Second Team All-State.  The next seven players (any position) will be named Third Team All-State.  In the case of ties for the final position on the First or Second team, all tied athletes will be placed on the higher team.  The Third Team All-State team will be adjusted so that there are a total of 21 athletes that are named to the All-State teams.
        7. If a team fails to submit a ballot, players from that team will be excluded from awards, and the coach must be present for his team to be eligible for the awards.  (Coaches with extenuating circumstances are encouraged to contact an executive board member.)
        8. All-State awards will be announced and distributed at the MWPA meeting during the respective State Championship Tournament.
      2. Coach of the Year – Shall be voted upon by the coaches at the same time on the All-State ballots. (Plaque)
      3. Player of the Year – Shall be voted upon by the coaches at the same time on the All-State ballots. (Plaque)
      4. Athletes who are sophomores or older, appearing on varsity rosters, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75 will be named as Academic All-State.  All athletes on teams participating in District Qualifying Tournaments are eligible for Academic All-State in accordance with this section.  Nominations are to be submitted to the MWPA Secretary by October 1 for Boys Season and by May 1 for Girls Season. (Certificates)
    5. All-American Selection
      1. Candidates for the All-American awards through the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association shall be comprised of all First Team All-State athletes.  Applications are the responsibility of individual coaches and shall be submitted to the MWPA Secretary within two weeks of the conclusion of the State Championship Tournament.  The MWPA will cover any application fee.

Section 5: Unsportsmanlike Conduct in High School Competition

  1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct is defined as any game exclusion foul awarded for Brutality, Violence, Foul Language Directed at an Official, or Foul Language Directed at a Player, Coach, or Spectator, or Taunting.  MHSAA Rules 242 and 243 (below) describe taunting.  No other game exclusion fouls are Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

    MHSAA 242:  Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, players, or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean others, whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist.  Included is conduct that berates, needles, intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin, or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size, economic status, speech, family, special needs, or personal matters.

    MHSAA 243:  In all sports, officials are to consider taunting a flagrant unsportsmanlike foul that disqualifies the offending bench person or contestant from the contest/day of competition (and next contest/day of competition).  A warning may be given, but is not required before ejection.
  2. When an athlete is disqualified during a contest for Unsportsmanlike Conduct that athlete shall be withheld from competition by his/her team for at least their next scheduled contest.
  3. When a coach is disqualified during a contest for Unsportsmanlike Conduct that coach shall be prohibited by his/her team from coaching or attending at least their next scheduled contest.
  4. Any coach who receives two game exclusions for Unsportsmanlike Conduct and any athlete who receives thee game exclusions for Unsportsmanlike Conduct within one season shall be excluded from participating in the remainder of the season.
  5. Officials who issue game exclusions for Unsportsmanlike Conduct must notify both benches of the call and must report these incidents to the Director of Officials, who will forward copies of the report to the coach and athletic director of the offending team.
  6. When a coach or athlete is disqualified for Unsportsmanlike Conduct during his/her team’s final game of competition in a District or Regional Qualifying Tournament, that person shall be prohibited from participating in his/her team’s first game at the Regional or State Championship Tournament (whichever comes first), whether or not there have been games between the District, Regional and State tournaments in which the disqualified participant has been withheld.
  7. Failure of the team for any reason to enforce this regulation shall prohibit the team from entry in the next MWPA Championship Tournament or from the remainder of the current tournament if the disqualification occurs during a Post-Season Championship Tournament or during the last regular season contest.
  8. Disqualifications from one season carry over into the next season.
  9. For the purposes of this Section, “contest” shall be defined as the next day of competition in the case of “dual matches” (a Junior Varsity and Varsity pair of games constitutes a “dual match”), or the next single game during a Championship Tournament.

Section 6: Equipment

  1. The MWPA strongly recommends that all water polo players wear a protective mouthpiece for all games, practices, and camps.
  2. The MWPA encourages officials to wear hearing protection, as recommended by their doctors.
  3. Protective/corrective eyewear can be worn, as long as they do not seal out water, and they contain no sharp edges or corners.

Section 7: Referee Compensation and Eligibility

  1. Officials shall be compensated as follows:
    1. Regular Season - Dual Games: $30 Varsity Game, $25 Junior Varsity Games. (Single officials to receive double pay) - Recommended
    2. Regular Season – Tournaments: Pay determined by individual tournament directors.
    3. Post Season Tournaments – Officials will be paid by the MWPA:
      1. District Championship Tournaments:  $30 per game, $10 per game for goal judges, $50 stipend for head official.
      2. RRegional Championship Tournaments:  $40 per game, $10 per game for goal judges, $50 stipend for head official
      3. State Championship Tournament: $50 per game, $10 per game for goal judges, $200 stipend for Director of Officials.
        1. Goal judges will be assigned for all games played at the District, Regional and State Championship Tournaments.
  2. Active coaches will not be allowed to officiate during their respective seasons.  This rule pertains to all coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers.  The only exception to this rule would the officiating of contests at a JV tournament where their team is not participating in any games officiated by the individual in question.